Several new Death with Dignity bills and amendments have been introduced over the last week.
Massachusetts: Senator Joanne Comerford introduced the Massachusetts End of Life Options Act (SD.265), which would expand medical aid in dying to Massachusetts. Massachusetts is one of our high priority states for 2023 and we are hopeful about getting a bill passed this year.
New York: Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal introduced the Medical Aid in Dying Act (S2445). This is a companion bill to the Assembly version (A995) introduced last week by Assemblymember Amy Paulin to permit medical aid in dying in New York.
Rhode Island: Representatives Ajello, Tanzi, Knight, Finkelman, Dawson, Craven, McEntee, Donovan, Speakman, and Handy introduced the Lila Manfield Sapinsley Compassionate Care Act (H2510) which would legalize medical aid in dying.
Vermont: Senator Virginia Lyons introduced an amendment (S0026) to the Vermont Patient Choice and Control at End of Life Act. The amendment would remove the Vermont residency requirement and has been referred to the Committee on Health and Welfare.
Hawai’i: A group of Hawai’i legislators introduced an amendment to the Our Care, Our Choice Act (HB650/SB899). These bills would allow for specialized nurses to prescribe medical aid in dying and allow certain nurses with psychiatric specializations to counsel patients who qualify for medical aid in dying. If passed, the waiting periods for requesting medical aid in dying for all patients would be reduced from 20 to 5 days. Lastly, patients expected to die imminently would be able to skip the mandatory waiting period.
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